Ray Palmer who lost his son in Afghanistan walks into Darwin to a hero’s reception

Ray Palmer and Rob Moerland complete their epic 400km walk today to honour the fallen Afghan diggers and raise funds for the injured, ill and wounded returned soldiers.Source: News Limited

PASSING through a guard of applauding troops while flanked by your granddaughter and a mate who understands has a curious way of easing the pain of 400km trekked through some of Australia’s most inhospitable climbs.

Ray Palmer and his ‘Families of the Fallen’ team — battered, sunburnt and a few kilograms lighter — were weary but jubilant this morning as they strode into Robertson Barracks to end their 10-day, 400km overland mission of remembrance and awareness from Mataranka.

Waiting at the barracks was a guard of honour made up of Australian troops and visiting US Marines.

They stood to attention and applauded Mr Palmer, who lost his son Scott in a chopper crash in Afghanistan, as he and his team passed through.

Ray Palmer and Rob Moerland complete their epic 400km walk today to honour the fallen Afghan diggers and raise funds for the injured, ill and wounded returned soldiers.Source: News Limited

On his right was eight-year-old granddaughter Gabrielle and on his left Rob Moerland, who also lost a son, Jacob, in Afghanistan.

“It was not about getting there, it was about why we were doing it,” Mr Moerland said.

“It was for those 40 boys ... and the boys who have come home.”

Mr Palmer, on his second pair of shoes and weathered from 50km-plus days walking through near-40C heat, beamed appreciation.

“This has just shocked the hell of me,” he said of the reception.

“It just shows how much support we’ve had. The Marines have come up and hugged me ... it just means a lot.”

Private Scott Palmer was killed in a chopper crash in Afghanistan in 2010.Source: Supplied

They have raised more than $18,000, enough to send three returned soldiers battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on a healing mission to the Kokoda Trail, which has already helped soldiers “reset” their lives post Afghanistan.

Scores of troops and supporters joined Mr Palmer and Mr Moerland on various legs of the 400km journey, which equated to 10km for every lost soldier in Afghanistan.

The team would read names of the fallen each morning before setting off on the day’s march, much of it spent in reflective silence.

Brigadier John Frewen read the final five names yesterday, Scott Palmer included.

Mr Palmer said motorists and truck drivers had been respectful and some had even turned their rigs around to give what they had in their wallets.

CLP cabinet minister John Elferink charged taxpayers more than $45,000 for a ‘study trip’ to the United States over the Christmas holidays, including visits to Cape Canaveral Space Base and Universal Studios.